THE SMILES returned to the faces at Manor Park after the 1-0 defeat of Lancaster finally reaped Nuneaton Borough a long awaited league success.

Boro boss Roger Ashby was content with three points: "It's nice to win! I'd almost forgotten the feeling.

"In the dressing room beforehand I told them there were eight players from the team that drew in the FA Cup with Middlesbrough, who recently beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Premiership, and on the day we outplayed them. And now we are worried about Lancaster!

Ashby was delighted to see Staff back to his best. "He was back to the Staffy we know, he took his goal well and was a threat throughout.

"It was also pleasing to see Gary Fitzpatrick making things tick again in midfield.

"He's under-rated, has a great attitude, does simple things well and works tremendously hard. We won on his first game back, maybe there's something in that!"

Defensively Boro were superbly marshalled by Daryl Burgess and skipper Neil Moore while Ashby praised the efforts of teenage substitute David Blenkinsopp.

"Blenky came on for 25 minutes and showed so much. His touch, endeavour and ability to get in scoring positions were impressive and with better finishing could easily had a couple of goal," added Ashby, who has released midfielder Scott Rickards.